GameStop is taking some extreme measures to ensure its store stay open during the coronavirus outbreak.
According to The Boston Globe, the gaming retailer opened up its stores in Massachusetts on Friday, despite a government order shutting down all nonessential business. The company instructed its workers not to let any customers into the stores and to only allow roadside pickup. For payment, employees are supposed to wrap their hands in plastic bags, take the customer's credit card at the door and process the payment. They are then instructed to turn the bag inside out, drop the credit card and the product in the bag and hand it to the customer by only opening the door enough to get their arm through.
The new instructions were sent to local store managers in an email titled "Chip card best practices." "Lightly (you want to be able to get it off easily) tape a Game Stop plastic bag over your hand and arm," the email reads. "Do not open the door all the way —keep the glass between you and the guest's face — just reach out your arm."
The manager interviewed for The Boston Globe said that he was very angry with the new guidelines, saying it treats the customer like "an animal or a pet." He also noted that disease can spread through those that are not asymptomatic, so there is no way of knowing if the customer or worker is carrying the disease.
"I have to make a choice between doing a job that nobody needs during a pandemic and not being paid, and possibly infecting people or being infected," he said. "We know for a fact the disease is contagious even when you're asymptomatic."
GameStop is not considered an essential business and could face a civil fine of $300 per violation. The company did not respond to paper's request for comment, but did release this statement:
With employee and customer safety as our paramount concern, all our stores remain closed to customer access, including those in Massachusetts. We are processing orders on a digital basis through our new curbside Delivery@Door shipping service. Only employees may enter our stores at this time. Importantly, all GameStop employees have been assured that they do not have to work if they are not comfortable, or need to stay home to care for a family member. While GameStop is best known as a provider of gaming and home entertainment systems, we also offer a wide array of products and devices that are important to facilitate remote work, distance learning, and virtual connectivity.
The news comes after GameStop came under fire for its unsafe practices in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, the company has updated its guidelines, closing stores across the country and offering workers two weeks of pay and one month of benefits. Workers also do not have to work if they are not feeling well.
For more information on COVID-19, along with basic protective measures such as social distancing, please visit the World Health Organization website.